Daddy Long Legs review, St James Theatre

What a delight on a wet wintery night, to stumble across a heart-warming musical that's both a love story and a window into early feminism. Daddy Long Legs the novel, written a century ago, is the story of Jerusha Abbot, a smart orphan lifted from poverty and into education by an anonymous benefactor. Asked to provide him with monthly updates to help develop her skill for writing, our smart and ambitious heroine, placed in a world where she's constantly running to catch up both academically and socially, starts to romanticise him and turns him into her confidante.

Daddy Long Legs, as she calls him, never writes back. He is not, however, the ancient man of 83 that she imagines, but a rich and handsome young chap who wants to do good. As she continues to open her heart to him, his curiosity is aroused and he arranges to bump into her. It doesn't take a great leap of the imagination to work out what happens next. Megan McGinnis as Jerusha is winningly feisty and sings beautifully. She is no charity case.

Robert Adelman Hancock as Jervis, unlaces his emotional stays with charm, and Jean Webster's story cleverly transforms from a tale of pity and patronage into one of female empowerment and equality as both the characters develop. The components that are slightly uncomfortable within a modern framework are ironed out gently and cleverly to send you home with a smile on your face.  

In conclusion:  Composer, Paul Gordon, and writer, John Caird, have created an evening of fun. The music is live and beautiful. It can be a little samey, but smart direction ensures it doesn't pall. It's a great rom com: a girls' night out.

References
St James Theatre, tickets
Dominic Maxwell review in The Times